In theory, money that had to be loaned to a monarch, on the monarch's instruction. However, forced loans were often seen as an extra-parliamentary form of taxation.
Forced loans
Fact of the Day
1968 was the only year during the 20th century when no member of the British armed services was killed on active service.
Quote of the Day
"I have beaten the Russian and Austrian army commanded by two emperors. I am a little tired.
"
~ Napoleon after Austerlitz
On This Day
41 Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus aka Caligula (Little Boots) was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard he bullied.
76 The future Roman Emperor Hadrian was born in Spain. He was considered one of the 'Five Good Emperors'.
1848 James Marshall discovered gold along the banks of Sutter's Creek, sparking the California Gold Rush.
1943 In Casablanca President Roosevelt and Prime Miniter Winston Churchill concluded that only unconditional surrender by the Nazis would end the war.
1965 Winston Churchill died after suffering a severe stroke nine days earlier. He was 90 years old.
1972 Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was discovered hiding in the jungles of Guam, unaware that World War II had ended.